“Yes, it sure is. Your everyday worker wouldn’t be able to afford it.”
Elena’s nose crinkles. “So... someone gave him hush money. Is that what you’re saying?”
I nod sharply. “We think so.”
She lets out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry, it’s a lot to take in. I can’t even imagine how you must be feeling. How are you and Bomber?”
I blink a few times. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to everyone calling him Bomber.”
Elena bops her head. “I felt the same with Jake. Axle, like the axle on a motor vehicle, as a name sounds ridiculous.”
Ava clears her throat. “No, Reaper wins hands down!”
Me and Elena laugh. “I don’t know. Bomber’s not that great.” I look away, thinking about the rest of their names. “Demon and Rage aren’t that crash-hot either.” We laugh again. “Sorry, I lost track of what we were saying.”
“You and Bomber,” Elena answers.
“We are... I’m not sure. Everything’s a mess. We have talked about how we feel and about the past. He told me things I never knew about. I appreciate his honesty.”
“But?” Elena questions.
“What happened in the past, that pain of him leaving me... That wound is still fresh, even now. He told me why he left, which has made a difference—I know he still cares.”
“He doesn’t just care,” Ava points out, “he loves you.”
“I agree,” Elena says.
“It’s in the way he looks at you. I told Reaper a while ago that I was worried about Bomber... sad even that he didn’t want to find a relationship with anyone.”
Relief washes over me, but then Elena snorts. “True. He only paid for sex.”
My eyes bulge. “What? Paid?”
Both women flinch.
“I’m sorry,” says Elena. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Ava inches closer to me. “Reaper said he only paid for sex because it was a transaction, nothing more.”
I sigh, knowing that I should have known he slept with others. “Don’t worry about it,” I tell them. “I guess I should be grateful he doesn’t have a wife and kids by now.”
Knox isbusy talking to the men. But in between, no matter where I am, it isn’t too long until he finds me to make sure I’m okay.
After helping the women with dinner, I go upstairs with Knox for privacy. When I jump into bed and under the comforter, I stay seated. “Did you find out anything?”
He gets in beside me and lies on his side. “The investigator is still home. Demon’s been keeping watch. I’ll meet him there soon to find out what he knows.”
Relief and anxiety clash inside of me. I want to find answers, but at what cost? “And the cop’s going to freely give up that information?” Suspicion coats my voice.
“Oh, he will,” he replies confidently.
I nibble on my bottom lip. “What will happen to him?”
“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to.”
Oh, what the hell! “No more secrets. What are you going to do... intimidate him?”
Knox grunts. “More than that.”
